Window-integrated antenna for LMS and diversitary FM reception in mobile motor vehicles

Abstract

A window-integrated antenna for LMS and FM reception in mobile motor vehicles in which the window pane of the motor vehicle, in conjunction with the line structures of the antenna and the metallic frame enclosing the window pane, is used as the antenna for the reception of LMS and USW signals, the connection points of the line structures being situated in the region of one of the corners formed by the metallic frame, in proximity to which the mechanical component used as the USW / LMS antenna unit is also positioned. The first conductor section of the antenna, which is positioned perpendicularly to the upper horizontal frame part of the metallic frame, is adjoined by a second long conductor section forming an angle preferably of 90° or forming a radius which is preferably implemented as a quarter circle having a small radius, the second conductor section running parallel to the upper horizontal frame part and extending over the largest part of the width of the window pane; and in proximity to the second lateral frame part, the second conductor section is adjoined by a third, likewise short conductor section forming an angle preferably of 90° or forming a radius which is preferably implemented as a quarter circle having a small radius, the third conductor section extending in the direction of the upper horizontal frame part and being connected to a fourth conductor section, forming the loop; the fourth conductor section, forming with the third conductor section an angle preferably of 90° or forming a radius which is preferably implemented as a quarter circle having a small radius, is positioned at a relatively small distance to the upper horizontal frame part and is shorter than the second conductor section of the antenna.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a window-integrated antenna for LMS (long-, medium-, shortwave) and diversitary FM reception in mobile motor vehicles, in which the window pane of the motor vehicle is used in conjunction with the line structures of the antenna and the metallic frame enclosing the window pane as the antenna for the reception of LMS and USW (ultra-short wave) signals. The connection points of the line structures are situated in the region of one of the corners formed by the metallic frame, in proximity to which the mechanical component used as the USW / LMS antenna unit, which has an operative connection to the car radio, is also positioned.BACKGROUND INFORMATION[0002]A window-integrated antenna of this type is described in German Patent No. DE 36 19 704, for example, in regard to a diversitary antenna arrangement, in which the window pane of the motor vehicle is used in conjunction with one or more line structures and the metallic frame surr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In an example embodiment of the present invention, a window-integrated antenna is provided for LMS reception and for diversitary FM reception in mobile motor vehicles, by making possible the reception of both LMS signals and diversitary USW signals with adequate quality using a low number of line structures in a single window pane of the motor vehicle, the costs also being reduced simultaneously by using a low number of conductors, which is related to a reduction of the contacts of the antenna conductors.

[0011]The window-integrated antenna according to the present invention allows both LMS and FM reception with high quality, the LMS reception being made possible because of the electrical length of the line structures of the antenna. Resonance response in the FM range is provided by the formation of the loop, i.e., by the loop-like feedback of the antenna formed by the conductor sections in connection with the capacitive effect of the metallic frame. Resonance response in the FM range is tunable via the entire length of the conductor sections of the antenna.

[0020]In addition to the advantage in regard to LMS and FM reception having high quality and a cost-effective manufacture achieved by the present invention, which results in particular from the implementation of only one line structure or two line structures on or in the window pane of the motor vehicle, the close proximity of the connection points is also advantageous for the construction of integrated, passive or active circuit parts which provide separate signal paths for the different frequency bands, but are positioned in one single housing. In particular, for a multi-antenna system, only one single housing is then necessary as a carrier of the active and passive assemblies. Simultaneously, the number of connection points and therefore the number of necessary contact points of the antenna conductors and the connection lines to the downstream circuit parts is reduced. Minimal cabling results therefrom, in addition to a minimum of mechanical components. The reception system is advantageous precisely for diversity systems, because multiple different radio services may be supplied to the downstream electronic components via one single connection point of the antenna. Simultaneously, the window-integrated antenna according to the present invention allows equipment variations to be provided very easily, without the metallic vehicle body having to be changed or different housings having to be provided as the carrier of the active or passive assemblies and finally having to be constructed so it may be integrated.

Problems solved by technology

A disadvantage of the conventional window-integrated antenna is that the line structures of the antenna conductor which are used are optimized either for LMS reception or for USW reception.

However, these are again subject to the disadvantage that they do not have adequate reception response for LMS frequencies.

If the line structures of the antenna conductors are integrated into a windshield made of laminated safety glass, they also always have an interfering effect, since they are in the visible area.

Provided therein is an antenna structure which does not visually interfere in the window pane of the motor vehicle and which considers monopoles exclusively for the reception of LMS and diversitary USW signals, but it has been shown that the reception of LMS signals is nonetheless inadequate using antenna structures of this type.

However, the conventional window-integrated antennas frequently have the disadvantage that by taking the reception of different radio signals into consideration, the line structures which are used have at least two line ends such that, based on the requirement for a connection point, an electrical connection must be established in the region of the window pane of the motor vehicle.

While this may be performed in a simple manner for a window pane made of single-layer safety glass, it is not possible to electrically connect multiple separate antenna conductors in a window pane made of laminated safety glass, since the manufacturing reliability of the window pane is no longer ensured because of possible air inclusions.

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